| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Walleye | 42-48 | - Pre-spawn walleyes staging near spawning areas, becoming more active with warming water temperatures
- Fish moving from wintering areas to shallower staging areas, particularly active during dawn and dusk periods
- Feeding intensity increasing as fish prepare for spawn, with particular focus on larger meals
| - River channel drop-offs where fish stage before moving shallow
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning grounds
| - Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') with slow, subtle lifts
- Live Bait Rigs with long leaders due to clear water
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along breaks
| - Large fathead minnows
- Smaller shiners
- Young-of-year perch
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-58 | - Pre-spawn crappies staging along transitional breaks in 4-5ft, actively feeding during warming trends
- Fish showing preference for suspended positions near structure, with clear sight-feeding behavior in moderate clarity water
| - Shallow transition areas and breaks in 4-5 foot depths
- Wind-protected areas given the lake's round shape and wind susceptibility
- Limited available structure areas due to simple shoreline (1.43 SDI)
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) - proven effective in recent reports for active fish
- Tubes - specifically mentioned as successful in recent catches
- Bobbers - effective for suspended fish in shallow pre-spawn areas
| - Minnows - confirmed as primary forage in fishing reports
- Small invertebrates typical of spring warming patterns
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Walleye | 42-52 | - Walleye moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly near river channel and structural transitions to spawn. Males arrive first and stay longer, with females moving in briefly to deposit eggs.
- Post-spawn fish gradually transition to deeper water, with feeding activity increasing as water temperatures rise.
| - River channel transitions and connecting hard-bottom areas in 4-12 feet of water
- Rocky points and gravel flats adjacent to deeper water
- Transition areas between spawning flats and primary lake basin
| - Live Bait Rigs with long leaders to avoid spooking fish in clear water
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs during active spawning
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along transition areas
| - Minnows congregating in spawning areas
- Small perch in transitional areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 52-62 | - Fish moving into shallow warming bays and transitional areas between 4-5 feet deep preparing for spawn, becoming increasingly active with warming water temperatures
- Congregating in large pre-spawn groups near spawning areas, with frequent feeding periods during stable weather
| - Protected shallow bays and coves in 4-5 foot depth range with transitions to deeper water
- Wind-protected shorelines with stable temperatures
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs in shallow areas
- Bobbers with live bait or small soft plastics suspended at 3-4 feet
- Tubes worked slowly through transition areas
| - Small minnows in shallow water
- Young-of-year baitfish schooling in warming bays
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Walleye | 48-58 | - Post-spawn walleye are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer feeding locations, actively feeding during dawn/dusk periods
- Fish are spooky in the clear water (4.3m Secchi), requiring longer casts and staying deeper during bright conditions
| - River channel drop-offs and adjacent flats where walleye stage during post-spawn recovery
- Main lake points and subtle breaks near deeper water, particularly in 12-20 foot range
- Transition areas between spawning sites and early summer locations, focusing on the first break line
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along breaks and channel edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with steady retrieves parallel to structure
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') during low light periods
| - Small minnows gathering along break lines
- Emerging juvenile baitfish schools
- Small perch in transitional areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Transitioning to deeper, suspended patterns after leaving spawning areas, actively feeding on minnows during early morning and evening periods
- Schooling behavior becoming more pronounced, with fish relating to the thermocline and suspended over deeper water
| - Main lake points and breaks in 12-15 foot range where fish stage post-spawn
- Suspended schools over deeper basin areas in 15-25 foot range
- Wind-protected areas with structure, especially given the lake's round shape and wind susceptibility
| - Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) with small jigs to cover water and locate suspended schools
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') once schools are located
- Hover/Mid-Strolling with live minnows or soft plastics along depth transitions
| - Small minnows in 1-2 inch range
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge
- Small invertebrates in transitional areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
